Feed-water heater.



.PATENTED JUNE 16, 190 3.

-T. C. MoBRIDE. FEED WATER HEATER. APPLICATION FILED nevi s, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATE Patented June 16, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

FEED-WATER HEATER. v

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 731,065, dated. June16, 1903.

Application filed November 8, 1902. Serial No. l30,526.' (.No model.)

To all whom it ntrty concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS C. MCBRIDE, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Feed Water H'eatingSystems for Locomotive and other Boilers, of which the following is aspecification.

The present state of the art of heating water by exhaust-steam in openfeed-water heaters for boiler-feeding purposes, where the cold-watersupply has sufficient pressure to drive it into the heater, involves theuse ofa float in the heater, which either controls a water-admissionvalve in the cold-water-supply pipe to the heater or thethrottle of theboiler feed-pump. If the water-admission valve is controlled by thefloat, the feedpump throttle is regulated by hand as the needs of theboiler may require. creaseof the speed of the feed-pump tending to lowerthe level of the water in the heater will cause the float to sink, andthereby open further the water-admission valve and permit the entranceof a greater amount of water to the heater to replace the increasedamount beingtaken out by the feed-pump. If the feed-pump throttle isregulated by this float, the valve admitting cold water to the:

heater is manipulated by hand to provide an increased or decreasedamount of Water for the boiler. This manipulation will cause acorresponding tendency to change the level of the Water in the heaterand the position of the float and the pump-throttle connected to it,eventually changing the speed of the feedpump corresponding to thechange first made in the opening of the cold-water-admission valve.There the cold Water to be heated must be forced by special means intothe heater, two entirely separate pumps are employed, one pump to forcecold water into the heater, the other to force the heated water into theboiler. The throttle-valve of one of these pumps is then controlled bythe position of a float in the heater and that of the other regulated byhand or automatic means as the feed-water requirements of the boiler mayvary. If the float in the heater controls the throttle, and thereforethe speed of the boiler feed-pump, and more water is An inneeded inv theboiler, the Water-supply-pump throttle is opened further by hand. Thistends to increase the amount of water in the heater, raises the float,thereby increasing the opening of the feed-pump throttle, and causingthe feed-pump to force the desired increased amount of water into theboiler. So, also, if the float in the heater controls the throttle andspeed of the heater cold-watersupply pump a change in the amount offeedwater required by the boiler, met by a corresponding handreadjustment of the feed pump throttle and speed of the feed-pump, willresult in a corresponding tendency to take more or less heated water outof the heater, a like change in the position of the heating system byarranging that the feed- 'pump in addition to feeding the boiler shallalso operate some device for forcing water into the heater. This deviceis so connected to or controlled by the feed-pump that it will alwaysdeliver to the heater approximately that amount of water which aftercondensing enough steam in the heater to heat it will furnish to thefeed-pump its full quota of water. Since, therefore, the heater isalways supplied with approximately the exact amount of water required toreplace that taken out by the feed pump, little further adjustment ofthe system is required. This further adjustment and other provisions tomake the system more automatic and reliable are fully described in thespecification. It is evident that a second pumping-cylinder so attachedto the usual steam-driven directacting boiler feed-pump or apower-driven feed-pump as to take its motion from it will furnish ameans of forcing cold water into the heater in amounts proportional tothat being taken out by the feed-p11 mp and that the relative sizes ofthe feed-pumping cylinder and of the heater cold-water-supply cylindercan be so prearranged that practically no further adjustment of thesystem is required. It is also evident that an injector operated by theexhaust-steam from the feed-pump can be arranged to supply the heater inamounts proportional to the speed of and approximately corresponding tothat taken out by the feed-pump, and it'is this latter system which Ielect to illustrate and describe in detail. This new system will alsocommend itself as being especially applicable to locomotive or otherboilers on account of its great compactness.

Myinvention further consists of other novel features of construction,all as will be here inafter fully set forth,and pointed out in theclaims.

The figure represents a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, ofa feed-waterheating system and its adjuncts embodying my invention.

Referring tothe d rawing,1 designates a feedpump consisting of the steam-cylinder 2, a steam-pipe 2 havingin it the usual hand-controlled valveto regulate its speed, the waterpumping cylinder 3, having thesuction-pipe 4 and the discharge pipe 5, leading eventually to theboiler, said suction-pipe communicating with the lower portion of theheaterchamber 6, which is made sufficiently large to contain'the usualfiltering devices. (Not shown.)

7 designates the feed-pump exhaust-steam pipe, leading from thesteam-cylinder 2 to the separator 8 through check-valve 9 and pipe 10,which discharges this exhaust steam through the passage 11 in thevalve-casing 12, which has the two outlets 13 and 14. Said outlet 13discharges directly into the heater,

while said outlet 14 discharges through the pipe 15 into theinjector-casing 16 at the point 17.

18 designates a valve operated by the float 19, said valve havinga port20 therethrough.

The injector-casing 16 is provided in its interior with the nozzle 21.

. 22 designates the water-supply pipe,through which the feed-Water to beheated is drawn into the heater. This discharges into the valve-casing23, containing the valve 24, controlled by the float 25, said casingdischarging through the pipe 26 into the chamber 27 of theinjector-casing 16.

28 designates the combining-tube,wherein the exhaust-steam injectedthrough the pipe 15 and the water entering through the pipe 34:designates theexhaust-steam-inlet pipe, 2

through which the supply of exhaust to heat the feed-water reaches theheater, said steam passing through the separator 35, which may beconstructed in accordance with any approved design and may be of similarconstruction to the separator 8, already referred to. The exhaust-steamafterleaving the separator 35 passes through the check-valve 36 andopening 37 into the upper part 38 or body of the heater.

38 designates ports in the upper portion of the injectorcasing 16, whichpermit the steam in the upper portion of the heater-casing to bedischarged into the combining-tube 28 in such a direction as toassistthe passage of the water through said combining-tube.

39 designates an' open-ended tube leading from, the desired water-levelin the heater and extending through and discharging into thecombining-tube 28.

40 designates a combined safety and relief valve, the construction ofwhich I have shown in detail in a contemporaneously-pending applicationfiled by me October 29, 1902, Serial No. 129,184, into which the passage41, which communicates with the upper central portion of the heater,leads.

42 designates a footboard and cab-floor of a locomotive, in which arelocated hinged doors or lids 43 for permitting access to the pumpingdevice and heater for the purpose of inspection and repairs.

4A designates the lower part of the rear end of a locomotive-boiler.

It will be understood that the pumping apparatus and the heater, bothshown in the present instance as being attached to a locomotive-boilerbelow the footboard and cabfloor, may be used in other locations withequal effectiveness without departing from the spirit ofv my inventionand that l have shown the present application of myinvention as but oneof the many uses to which it may be applied.

The operation is as follows: Water entering from the supply-pipe 22 andas controlled by the valve 24 and float 25, whose position is dependentupon the amount of water in the heater, passes to the injector-casing16, where it meets exhaust-steam from the feedpump 1,.arriving throughseparator 8, checkvalve 9, pipes 10 and 15, and float-controlled valve20. This exhaust-steam combined with the supply-water in thecombining-tube 28 then passes on through the spraying device 29 andfalling over the pans 30 and 32 becomes heated by exhaust-steam reachingthe heater through exhaust-steam pipe 34, separator 35, check-valve 35,and opening 37. It is evident that if there is a tendency to accumulatetoo much water in the heater the float 25 will rise, partly closing thevalve 24, and thus'reducing the amount of water entering the heater. If,however, there is too little water in the heater,the float 25 will fall,open- IIO ing the valve 24 and permitting more water therefore tend tobind or refuse to work. To overcome this tendency and also to assist orin the absence of the valve 24 to entirely control the level of water inthe heater, the valve 20 is used.- This valve is so designed that whenthere is too little water in the heater and the float 19 is thereforelowered all of the exhaust-steam from the feed-pump arriving through thepipe 10 will be guided into pipe 14. WVhen, however, there is too muchwater in the heater and the float 19 has therefore risen, the valve 20will guide all or the greater part of the exhaust-steam coming from thefeed-pipe through the opening 13 into the heater, thus relieving theinjector of all or most of this exhaust-steam and the valve 24 of anyexcessive pressure. It is also evident that if the supply of heatingexhauststeam coming to the heater through the pipe 34 reaches it inviolent fluctuations or puii's that these puffs acting against thedelivery of the water through the spraying device 29 will cause a likefluctuating resistance to the feed-pump exhaust-steam,and consequentirregular action of the feed-pump. Itis also evident that any violentfluctuations of this steam-pressure in the heater will'also interferewith the smooth action of the valve 24. To overcome theseirregularities, the assistant injector-jets 38 and 39 are used. Thesejets receive steam from the body of the heater, necessarily always atthe same pressure as the pressure against which the water is beingdischarged through the spraying device 29, and will therefore assist thepassage of water through the supply-pipe in an exact proportion to theresistance it meets in entering the heater. These assistant in j ector-jets may be led into the water-supply pipe at any place along its course,or they may take steam from any part of the feed-water-heater casin g.The pipe 39 shows an assistant injector-jet taking steam from'the heaterat the point at which it is desired to maintain the water-level. If thewater-level is lower than this, steam will enter this pipe and assistthe water-supplying device in furnishing more water to the heater. If,however, there is too much water in the heater, the lower end of thepipe 39 will be submerged and hot water from the bottom of the heaterwill therefore reach the injector, thus not only depriving it of theassistance of steam from this jet, but also tending to decrease itswater-forcing capacity through the well-known influence of hot water indestroying the action of injectors.

While I have shown the various injectorjets as entering concentricallyinto one injector-body, it is evident that more than one injector andmore than one supply-pipe might be used, as found necessary orconvenient, and controlled by either one or more valves 24 and floats25. Attention is also called to the fact that after a puff ofexhaust-steam from the feed-pump has entered the injector 16 and startedits action the exhaust-steam entering the injector through openings 38and 39 will tend to continue the injector in action as long as thevalve.24 is open and until the next puff of exhaust-steam from thefeedpump. The volume of water entering the heater through thesupply-pipe and spraying device will therefore come to it at a uniformrate in spite of the fact that the feed-pump exhaust is intermittent andthat the pressure of steam in the heater may be subjected to violentfluctuations.

Attention is called to the combination of the spraying device 29 todistribute the entering water uniformly to the different parts of theheater and the pans and 32, provided with raised projections, tocontinue this uniform distribution, also to the fact thatexhaust-steam-inlet opening 37 is placed immediately under the upperpan, so as to prevent water splashing into it.

While I have shown the injector, with its assistant jets, in theinterior of they heatercasing, it is evident that it may as convenientlybe placed outside of the same and at any distance therefrom, limitedonly by the convenience of piping. Neither do I wish to be limited tothe use of an injector operated by the exhaust-steam from the feed-pumpfor my heater water-supplying device. Any water-forcing device whichwould deliver an amount of water equal or proportional to that takenfrom the heater by the feed-pump and which would permit of the supply ofWater to the heater being further controlled by the valves 24 and 20would carry out the spirit of the invention. I The feed-pump with aseparate water-supply pump attached directly thereto, as embodied in mycontemporaneously-pending application, is cited as'an illustration of aconstruction which would accomplish this result.

It will be apparent that various changes may be made by those skilled inthe art which may come within the scope of my invention, and I do not,therefore, desire to be'limited to the exact construction herein shownand described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is f t v 1. In a feed-water-heating systemforlocomotives or other boilers, a plurality of waterforcing devices sorelated or connected together, or to the same source of power that theamount of water delivered by eachis equal or nearly so, one of saiddevices being adapted to feed the boiler and the other to supply theheater, and the two being positively connected together, a valve in thesuction of the water-forcing device, supplying the heater, and a floatin the heater for controlling said valve.

2. The combination of a boiler, a heatercasing, a feed-pump, an injectoroperated by the exhaust steam thereof to supply the heater and a deviceoperated by the change of water-level in the heater, said deviceadjusting the amount of water passing through the injector.

3. The combination of a boiler, a heatercasing, a feed-pump, an injectoroperated by the exhaust-steam thereof, water-forcing devices so relatedor connected together or to the samesource of power that the amount ofwater delivered by each tends to be continuously proportional, and afloat in the heater controlling a valve in the supply-pipe to thewater-forcing device supplying the heater, so as to regulate the amountof water therein.

4. In a feed-water-heating system for locomotives or other boilers, aplurality of waterforcing devices so related or connected together, orto the same source of power that the amount of water delivered by eachis equal or nearly so, one of said devices being adapted to feed theboiler and the other to supply the heater, means for limiting orcontrolling the amount of water passing through that waterforcing devicesupplying the heater, and injectors of exhaust-steam taken from the bodyof the heater-casing or the exhaust-steam pipe leading to theheater-casing and so directed into the heater-supply piping as to assistthe heater-supplying device in forcing water into the heater.

5. A heater, an exhaust-steam inlet thereto and a water-supply pipe,said water-supply pipe havingin it an injector-combining tube and meanswithin the heater for admitting injector-jets of exhaust-steam from thebody of the heater or the exhaust-pipe thereto from the locomotive insuch a direction as to assist the supply-water in entering the heateragainst any pressure therein.

6. A heater, an exhaust-steam inlet thereto, a water-supply pipe, andmeans extending to the water-level for admitting injector-jets ofexhaust-steam.

7. A heater-casing, an exhaust-steam inlet thereto, a feed-pump, aninjector operated by the exhaust-steam therefrom, and a controllingvalve or valves in the feed-pump ex haust-pipe, whereby the feed-pumpexhaust is sent to the said injector when the water in the heater is lowand is sent elsewhere when the heater water-level is high.

8. The combination of a boiler, a heatercasing, a feed-pump, an injectoroperated by the exhaust-steam of said pump to feed the heater, and adevice adjusting the amount of water passing through the injector.

9. In a feed-water-heating system for locomotives or other boilers, aplurality of waterforcing devices, so related or connected together, orto the same source of power, that the amount of water delivered by onetends to be continuously proportional to the amount of water deliveredby the other, one of said devices being adapted to feed the boiler andthe other to supply the heater, a valve in the suction of thewater-forcing device supplying the heater, and a float in the heater forcontrolling said valve.

10. In a feed-water-heating system for 1000* motives or other boilers, aheater-casing, a main exhaust-inlet thereto, a feed-water inlet leadinginto said casing, a feed-pump located exteriorly of said casing,aninjector located within said casing andoperated by the exhaust of saidfeed-pump, and circulating devices coacting with said injector.

11. In a feed-wa tor-heating system for locomotives or other boilers, aheater-casing, a main exhaust-inlet thereto, a feed-water inlet leadinginto said casing, a feed-pump located exte'riorly of said casing, aninjector located within said casing and operated by the exhaust of saidfeed-pump, float-actuated devices controlling the admission ofexhauststeam and water to said injector, and circulating devicescoacting with said injector.

12. In afeed-water-heating system for locomotives or other boilers, aheater-casing, a main exhaust-inlet thereto, a feed-water inlet leadinginto said casing, a feed-pump located exteriorly of said casing, aninjector located within said casing and operated by the exhaust of saidfeed-pump, a water-supply pipe leading from said feed-water inlet tosaid injector-casing, and means for admitting to said water-supply pipean injector-jet of exhaust-steam taken from the body of the heater atthe desired water-level.

13. In a feed-water-heating system for 10130- motives or other boilers,a heater-casing, a main exhaust-inlet thereto, a feed-water inletleading into said casing, a feed-pump located exteriorly of said casing,an injector located within said casing and operated by the exhaust ofsaid feed-pump, a water-supply pipe leading from said feed-water inletto the injector-casing, an open-ended pipe discharging into saidinjector-casing, a series of auxiliary ports for the admission ofexhaust-steam located above said injector-casing, and means for sprayingand deflecting the water after the latter leaves said injectorcasing. 1

14. In a feed-water-heating system for locomotives or other boilers, aheater-casing, a main exhaust-inlet thereto, a feed-water inlet leadinginto said casing, a feed-pump located exteriorly of said casing, aninjector located within said casing and operated by the exhaust of saidfeed-pump, a water-supply pipe leading from said feed-water inlet to theinjector-casing, an open-ended pipe discharging into saidinjector-casing, a series of auxiliary ports for the admission ofexhauststeam located above said in j eotor-casin g, and

means for spraying and deflecting the water after the latter leaves saidin j actor-casing, in combination with a float-controlled valve in thepipe conducting feed-water to the heatercasing.

15. In a feed-water-heating system for locomotives or other boilers, aheater-casing, a

main exhaust-inlet thereto, a feed-water inlet leading into said casing,a feed-pump located exteriorly of said casing, an injector locatedwithin said casing and operated by the exhaust of said feed-pump, awater-supplypipe leading from said feed-water inlet to theinjector-casing, an open ended pipe discharging into saidinjector-casing, a series of auxiliary ports for the admission ofexhauststeam located above said injector-casing, and means for sprayingand deflecting the water after the latter leaves said injector-casing,in combination with a float-controlled valve in the pipe which leads theexhaust-steam from the feed-pump to said injector-casing.

16. In a feed-water-heating system for locomotives or other boilers, aheater-casing, a main exhaust-inlet thereto, a feed-water inlet leadinginto said casing,-a feed-pump located exteriorly of said casing, aninjector located within said casing and operated by the exhaust of saidfeed-pump, a water-supply pipe leading from said feed-Water inlet to-theinjector-casing, an open-ended pipe discharg ing into saidinjector-casing, a series of auxiliary ports for the admission ofexhauststeam located above said'injector-casing, and means for sprayingand deflecting the water after the latter leaves said injector-casing,in combination with a float-controlled valve in the pipe conductingfeed-water to the heatercasing, and a float-controlled valve in the pipeconducting the exhaust-steam from the feed-pump to said injectorcasing.

17. --In a feed-water-heatin g system for locomotives or other boilers,a heater-casing, a main exhaust-inlet thereto, a feed-pipe leading intosaid casing, a feed-pump, a forcing device operated by the exhaust ofsaid feedpump and located in said pipe, and circulating devices coactingwith said forcing device.

18. In afeed-water-heatingsystem forlocomotives or other boilers, aheater-casing, a main exhaust-inlet thereto, a feed-water pipe leadinginto said casing, a feed-pump, a forcing device operated by the exhaustof said feed-pump, circulating devices coactingwith said forcing device,and float-actuated devices controlling the admission of exhauststeam andwater to said forcing device.

19. In a feed-water-heating system for 1000- motives or other boilers, aheater-casing, a main exhaust-inlet thereto, a feed-water-sup ply pipeleading into said casing, a feed-pump, a forcing device operated by theexhaust of said feed-pump and located in said watersupply pipe, andmeans for admitting to said water-supply pipe injector-jets of steamtaken from within the heater.

20. In a feed-water-heating system for locomotives or other boilers, aheater-casing, a

main exhaust-inlet thereto, a feed-water pipe leading into said casing,a feed-pump, a forcing device located in said pipe and operated by theexhaust of said feed-pump, an openended pipe leading from the heaterwaterlevel to the casing of the forcing device, a series of auxiliaryports for the admission of exhaust-steam located in said pipe, and meansfor spraying and deflecting the Water after ing, means for spraying anddeflecting the water after the latter leaves said feed-water pipe, and afloat-controlled valve in the feedwater pipe.

22. 'In a feed-water-heating system for locomotives or other boilers, aheater-casing, a main exhaust-inlet thereto, a feed-water pipe leadinginto said casing, a feed-pump, a forcing device in said pipe andoperated by the exhaust of said feed-pump, an open-ended pipe leadingfrom the heater water-level to the casing of said forcing device, aseries of auxiliary ports for the admission of exhauststeam locatedabove said forcing-device casing, means for spraying and deflecting thewater after the latter leaves said feed-water pipe, and afloat-controlled valve in the pipe which leads the exhaust-steam fromthe feedpump to said forcing-device casing.

23. In a feed-water-heating system for locomotivesor other boilers, aheating-casing, a main exhaust-inlet thereto, a'feed-water pipe leadinginto said casing, a feed-pump, a forcing device within said pipe andoperated by the exhaust of said feed-pump, an open-ended pipe leadingfrom the heater water-level to the casing of the forcing device, aseries of auxiliary ports for the admission of exhauststeam locatedabove said forcing-device casing; means for spraying and deflectingwater after the latter leaves said pipe, a float-controlled valve insaid pipe, and a float-controlled valve in the pipe conducting theexhaust-steam from the feed-pump to said forcing-device casing.

24. The combination of a boiler, a heatercasing, a feed-pump, a forcingdevice to supply the heater and operated by the exhauststeam thereof,and a float 'in the heater adjusting a valve in the water-supply pipe tothe forcing device.

25. In a water-heating system for locomotives or other boilers, aheater-casing, a main exhaust-steam inlet thereto, a feed-p11 mp andawater-forcing device to supply the heater operated by the feed-pumpexhaust and by exhaust-steam taken from the heater at the heaterwater-level.

26. In a feed-\vater-heating system for locomotives or other boilers, aheater-casing, a main exhaust-steam inlet thereto, a feedpump and awater-forcing device to supply the heater operated by the feed-pumpexhaust and by exhaust-steam taken from the 28. In a feed-water-heatingsystem fox-locomotives or other boilers, a heater-casing, a

main exhaust-inlet thereto, a feed-Water pipe leading into said casing,a feed-pump, a Water-forcingdevice operated by the exhaust of saidfeed-pump and located in said pipe and circulating devices consisting ofinjector-jets of exhaust-steam and water taken into said pipe from thecasing and coacting with said water-forcing device.

THOMAS c. MCBRIDE.

Witnesses:

E. HAYWARD FAIRBANKS, O. D. MOVAY.

